Zapata County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Zapata County, TX was in moderate drought (D1) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 10% at severe drought (D2); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 9 straight weeks. Over 90 days rain is at 74% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 125% (above normal); Saturday carries the week's highest rain chance at 28% (high 80°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Zapata County with up to 5 monthly payments.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 125% of normal
- Last 60 days 98% of normal
- Last 90 days 74% of normal
NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Rain outlook
- 6-10 day outlook (Nov 7–11) Leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain)
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 9–15) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Mostly Sunny, high 90°, low 70°, 1% rain, wind 2–6 mph
- Monday Partly Sunny, high 92°, low 72°, 3% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Tuesday Partly Sunny, high 85°, low 63°, 5% rain, wind 0–12 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 83°, low 63°, 0% rain, wind 2 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 86°, low 65°, 19% rain, wind 0–3 mph
- Friday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 82°, low 63°, 24% rain, wind 0–6 mph
- Saturday Chance Rain Showers, high 80°, low 60°, 28% rain, wind 0–6 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Zapata County right now. A 30-day window opens when the county first hits severe drought (D2), jumps to D3 or D4, or after a blizzard, extreme heat or cold, flood or ice warning, a wildfire, or a USDA disaster designation. Keep a Drought Ledger.
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Cownty sends nothing to FSA.
Drought-sale tax flag IRS list
Zapata County is on IRS Notice 2026-54 (severe or worse drought, Sep 1, 2025 to Aug 31, 2026).
Why it matters: if you sold breeding, dairy or draft livestock because of drought, the tax code may let you put off the gain (more time to buy replacement animals, or report the extra-sale income a year later). Your tax preparer decides whether either applies.
Work out your numbers and print a page for your preparer
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. Ask your tax preparer. FSA decides program eligibility. IRS Notice 2026-54 (PDF)
Loading prices…
Loading drought…
Loading programs…
Weather for Zapata County
Forecast for the center point of Zapata County.
- Today Mostly Sunny 90° 70° ESE 2–6 mph 1% rain
- Mon Partly Sunny 92° 72° SSE 5–10 mph 3% rain
- Tue Partly Sunny 85° 63° WSW 0–12 mph 5% rain
- Wed Sunny 83° 63° NNE 2 mph 0% rain
- Thu Mostly Sunny 86° 65° ESE 0–3 mph 19% rain
- Fri Slight Chance Rain Showers 82° 63° NNE 0–6 mph 24% rain
- Sat Chance Rain Showers 80° 60° NE 0–6 mph 28% rain
Forecast from the National Weather Service, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind arrows point where the wind is going; the letters say where it comes from. Windy = 25 mph or more; freeze = a low of 32°F or less. Open the full forecast.
Burn ban
Burn ban ON
In effect since Sep 13, 2011.
Texas A&M Forest Service map (source), as of Nov 1, 2026. County judges set bans; check with the county before burning. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Weather warnings right now
None right now
National Weather Service active alerts for this county, as of Nov 1, 2026 (source). Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Rainfall vs normal
How to read this
Bars are the rain that fell each month; the dashed line is a normal month (1991-2020 average). Bars below the line = drier than normal.
County-average precipitation, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026. Normal = NCEI's own 1991-2020 average for each month (Sep 2026 normal 4.23 in; same month last year 3.09 in). NCEI posts each month around the 8th of the next and may revise recent months. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance. Fetched Oct 30, 2026.
Wildfires
No current fire perimeter in the county
No current perimeter within 100 mi of the county center (83 mapped nationally).
Interagency fire outlines. Small or brand-new fires are often not mapped yet; call 911 for a fire you can see. Layer updated Nov 1, 2026. Source: National Interagency Fire Center. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Frost dates
Frost and freeze dates
30-year averages (1991–2020) from the weather stations nearest Zapata County. Frost = 32°F; hard freeze = 28°F.
Falcon Dam weather station (30 mi away)
farther away No station with freeze dates is close to the county center, so local dates can differ.
| Typical last spring frost | Typical first fall frost | |
|---|---|---|
| Frost (32°F) 363-day growing season |
Jan 9 1 year in 10 it's after Feb 21 |
Jan 1 1 year in 10 it's before Dec 8 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) 365-day growing season |
Jan 3 1 year in 10 it's after Feb 6 |
Jan 2 1 year in 10 it's before Dec 14 |
Hebbronville weather station (38 mi away)
farther away No station with freeze dates is close to the county center, so local dates can differ.
| Typical last spring frost | Typical first fall frost | |
|---|---|---|
| Frost (32°F) 320-day growing season |
Feb 4 1 year in 10 it's after Mar 7 |
Dec 12 1 year in 10 it's before Nov 22 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) 354-day growing season |
Jan 15 1 year in 10 it's after Feb 28 |
Dec 30 1 year in 10 it's before Dec 4 |
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Falcon Dam, Hebbronville), NOAA files as of Jun 27, 2023. Fetched Oct 18, 2026.
Loading money…
Loading deadlines…
Loading land…
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Zapata County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Zapata County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 5 monthly payments for some pasture types. FSA decides each operation's eligibility; apply at your county FSA office by March 1 after the loss year.
What is the drought level in Zapata County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Zapata County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 10% of the county. 9 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Zapata County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Zapata County (since Sep 13, 2011). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Zapata County?
No USDA-reported sale barn within 200 miles.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 13, 2026: Apply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 money; Nov 20, 2026: Micro Farm 2027: last day to buy crop insurance. FSA program dates not posted officially are marked "confirm at source" on the calendar.
Source: official agency pages (see Calendar)
Information only; not financial or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Always check the linked official source.